Police continue search for missing Ironman athlete in South Africa

South African police continues the search for David Rene Roger Bellet-Brissaud, the Ironman athlete who disappeared on Friday ahead of last weekend’s Africa Championship in Port Elizabeth.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said that the 48-year-old Gabon-based athlete was reported missing by his wife early on Friday morning.

The search continues

Officer Eric Matthews at the Humewood South African Police Service told news site eNca on Monday that the search was continuing.

He said that Brissaud and his wife took a walk on the beachfront after settling in at the Paxton hotel and dinning with other participants from Gabon.

“At about 9pm, they retired to their rooms. It is further alleged that at about 1am on Friday, his wife woke up and noticed that her husband was not in the room. He has been missing ever since,” declared Matthews.

“CCTV footage shows that Bellet-Brissaud walked out of the hotel and down the street. It is not clear in which direction he walked once on the main road. He did not take his wallet or cell phone with him.'

As his family started to arrive in port Elizabeth, South African police officials have deployed K9 and dive units to search for the athlete.

According to a report by the TimesLive, Brissaud’s family have offered a R12,000 reward to anyone with information regarding his whereabouts.

“He doesn’t smoke or drink. He is not a man with enemies and he worked at the same forestry company for the last 15 years‚” Roger’s sister Vanessa said.